Book excerpt: Through her easy-to-follow stitch tutorials and patterns that are at turns playful and elegant, Dhara Shah shows readers the wide array of gorgeous embroidery designs that can be achieved with just 12 stitches. From the French Knot to the Herringbone Stitch, they’ll learn the ins and outs of each one before putting it to practice in one of the many striking projects. Beginners will appreciate the thorough introduction to fundamentals like choosing supplies and mounting fabrics, as well as the step-by-step instructions for each tutorial and pattern. Meanwhile, advanced embroidery artists will enjoy honing their skills and mastering the more challenging techniques to create unique designs both on the hoop and off. Offer your yoga-enthusiast friends a Chakra Chronicles hoop and wow littles ones with the Sprinkles of My Donut! pattern. Celebrate the changing seasons with motifs like Welcoming Spring Flower Bouquet and Snowy Christmas Trees, and turn heads with show-stopping embellishments like the “Autumn Breath” Tote Bag. Whether you are just embarking on your embroidery adventure, or have some experience under the belt, this will be your go-to guide to projects that are as accessible as they are one-of-a-kind.